Acer TimelineX 3820TG Owners Lounge. Info, benchmarks, tweaks, mods and upgrades

How can I tell what version my Bluetooth is (2.1 or 3.0)? It is an Atheros. My 3820TG was purchased from PCHome in Taiwan.

I looked in Device Manager /Properties, but didn't see anything.

 

Well said.

I had a MSI GX640 (i5-430M, ATI HD Mob 5850 GPU, 15.4" screen, 6 lbs). It was great for gaming and relatively portable too.

But since I don't really game much anymore, the 3820TG was the perfect choice for me (and I sold the GX640).

 

Just look at the backside of the laptop. There is a sticker with the bluetooth logo. Just post the number from it here.

Is the Intel wlan card BT-Amp able?

 

No the option is not listed in the advanced options of my Intel 6200 like my Broadcom had.

 

You have got an BT 3.0 client device?

Can you please test it again with the Acer, if it gets the BT 3.0 speed?

Edit: If my interpretation all right, it should only get BT 2.0 speed.

 

It says "this device contains Bluetooth Module T77H056" on the back.

How can I determine if my Intel 6300 WiFi card is BT-Amp able?

 

Just a fast google search give me following results. The USB modul uses an one chip BT 2.1+EDR solution and should be able to use BT3.0 with an Atheros Wlan card.

Have you replaced the Atheros wlan card? Or was the Intel the default one?

sources:
Atheros, Wireless LAN, WLAN, 2.4/5-GHz, 802.11a/b/g, 802.11b/g, 802.11n, Radio-on-a-Chip, Overview, Networking, Products and Technology
http://www.atheros.com/pt/bulletins/AR3011Bulletin.pdf
Search for "t77" http://www.mk-electronic.de/hersteller/PDFDokumente/Acer/Mobile%20System%28MS%29/Aspire/7740_7740G.pdf

 

Thanks Nick. You are certainly more resourceful at Google than I. I also tried googling that module number but didn't understand the articles I was seeing it in.

The Atheros WiFi (same as wlan??) card was the stock, default one. I swapped it out for the Intel 6300 WiFi card, which has given be much better WiFi range and reception.

Does this mean that my BT is only 2.1 since I no longer have the Atheros WiFi card in the laptop?

Is there a substantial difference between BT 2.1 and 3.0?

 

Yes it's the i5 450m. I tried to run the PerformanceTest7.0 and watched the CPU-Z as the cpu reched about 3.28Ghx.

I'm really new to overclocking, benchmarks and stuff, I have never done it before so I have a few questions.

1) If the CPU runs stable at 2.958Ghz overclocked will it still run stable when the turbo multiplier kicks in at 3.28Ghz?

2) Will the computer run faster when it's overclocked even when the CPU only runs on 50% or let's say 30% or will it only be faster when the CPU works reallly hard? Is there any meaning in having it overclocked when I use it with a normal workload?

3) Is there any drawbacks or issues you can run into if u have it overclocked alot of the time?

 

In my interpretation it mean, that you have now only BT 2.1+EDR. Let us wait for an answer from Hendrickson.

BT 3.0 is only faster, if you uses a point to point connection with the support of an wlan channel. For these feature you need the ssupport from the wlan card (driver).

The most usefull function of BT3.0 seems to be, that you can push faster the new music album from your pc to your smartphone and sync your meetings with the pc calender.

 

1) no, you have to test it a long time. (Over 2 hours.)
2) It is not usefull.
3) The hardware is stressed more.

Just overclock your unit, if it needed. As example for games or heavy calculation or video decoding. But not by default.

 

Just a diagrammed version of the BT 3.0 implementation in the Acer models.

 

tyvm for the fast answer.

How do I run a test with the turbo multiplier kicked in for at least 2 hours?

 

You can use prime95 and start only one process.

 

Nice diagram!

The power of the new Intel 6300 WiFi card that I installed is more useful to me than the "fake" BT 3.0. So, bye bye Atheros WiFi card and fake BT 3.0.

 

Do I accomplish that by chosing 1 in the "Number of torture test threads to run:" box? And also, wich test should I do? The small FFTs, the In-place large FFTs or the Blend?

 

Yes. You want to start one thread and the best option is "in-place large FFTs".

Have fun

 

Thx! I sure will

 

While reading the 377 pages of historical posts in this thread, I came across something interesting.

1. Is it still true that the HDMI output works via the ATI dedicated GPU only?

2. So, if my 3820TG is running on batteries, which in turn means the integrated GPU is running only, then does that mean I will NOT be able to output with the HDMI port?

3. Is the only fix to #2 to go into BIOS and change the setting to "Discrete graphics on always"?

Thanks.

 

if you right click on ur desktop bankergolfer you can force it via windows to use the ati graphics card solution

 

@hendrickson - just to complicate my decision, when looking at the I5's, the ES versions of the new I7-640M have shown up on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEL-mobile-i7...06?pt=UK_Computing_LaptopMotherboards_CPUs_CA 2.8ghz w/turbo speeds to 3.46ghz. Around $300 (OEM's will cost around $400 ). Nice insurance in case my new motherboard doesn't OC.

What do you think the odds are that the 640M works with the current bios?

Bronsky

 

Is anybody interested in an updated Intel grafik driver? I'm just testing a little bit

 

Thanks.

I'd like to force the HDMI output through the integrated GPU though, not the ATI GPU.

 

It is at the moment not possible.

 

Thanks for confirming.

Just repped you since you always respond fast and are helpful!

 

No idea.

Write the Acer Support an email and ask them.

Just ask also for the 560M and 580M

 

I know I am preaching to the choir here, but I am still amazed at what Acer has done with the 3820TG.

To fit a gaming-quality GPU and efficient cooling system into a 13.3" that weighs less than 4 lbs is remarkable, even when taking modern design techniques into account.

This laptop really does offer the best of all worlds in a very stylish package.

Now, can anyone help me with the stock Acer screensaver, please?

Thanks.

 

Yea ... they're usually so helpful. The I5-580 QS is available as well. INTEL mobile i5 580M 3.33GHZ 3M 1066Mhz fasterthan 540M - eBay (item 130414231001 end time Aug-24-10 18:45:29 PDT) It is about the same price as an OEM I5-540M. No I5-560M yet.

It will probably take a few weeks to get my (hopefully OC'able) motherboard and speaker. I think I'm going to wait to see if Acer comes out with an updated bios to support the new arrandale CPUs.

Bronsky

 

Don't know if the bios supports these new chips. 640m and 580m etc. It should do, but we might need a bios update.

 

how can be 9600 3dmark2006 can be reached without OC cpu ?

i clocked my ati to 668/1095 and can only reach 9000 points.

i have the newest standard driver from acer and i have the 16x pci-e connected.

how can i reach 9600 points ? i dont think i can OC it really more then i have now.

any ideas ?

 

Use the new driver from AMD

Edit, read the first posting

 

ok, i will try newest driver ^^

still i am really statisfied with 9034 points. but a bit more would be fun.

 

As you might have read earlier I have overclocked my 3820TG i5 450m to a very stable 2.958 Ghz @ 164Mhz bus speed.

Now I have ran the prime95 for 10 hours with only one process running to see how it deals with the multiplier turbo kicked in at a almost 3.3Gh,z and it seem to have past the test succesfully with a top temperature of 87 degrees C in both cores.

 

nah, newest driver didnt helped.

i got still 9050 3dmarks.

still wondering how u guys can reach 9600 without oc cpu...

 

Has anyone used this slim travel AC power adapter?

Slim travel AC power adapter

 

Some are running i7 620ms this is why. Or clocking 740 / 1100 which is not stable is real games after a while it will crash.

 

Some cards clocks a bit better I can run rock stable at 690/1100MHz and can run 3dmark successfully at 720/1100MHz, which gives 9443 points

 

Part 8: Some Benchmarks

Ran a few benchmark tests. Love this laptop. Battery life on normal usage is reading 5 hours and 48 minutes via BatteryBar.

Here is my 3DMark06 score of 7482. Specs are in my signature. Standard GPU clocks (550/800).





Everything seems fine with PCI-e running at its full x16.





Temperatures seem in line with everyone else's.





My Microsoft WEI seems in line as well. Need to put in a SSD when it's cost effective to do so.






Finally, using both the freeware and shareware versions of SetFSB, it looks like I can overclock (OC) my CPU. No PLL Errors for me!

 

Banker, could you please give some more detail on what you mean by 'normal' usage? Would it be possible to stretch the 5 hours and 48 minutes you experienced to closer to 6 hours and 30 minutes, without unreasonably sacrificing usability (eg what are your brightness levels set to when you get 5 hours 48?). Is 'normal' just battery saver mode?

Sorry for being pedantic; battery life (and the current lack of available I5 chips) is the one thing holding me back from buying this laptop (I also have an ASUS U33jc on pre-order).

Cheers!

 

Pedantic? Not that!

Bronsky

PS - The U33JC is a work of art. I love the bamboo. Shame it's not better equipped. I would opt for that look over metal anyday.

 

mate im sure 5hrs 48 is on power saver and almost lowest brightness and no wifi. Im getting 5hrs which is lovely on close to lowest brightness wifi on and browsing with 6cell. Get a 9cell u will get 8hrs. Trust me this is a killer machine in term of specs and size. Im upgrading mine to i7 soon cause i can and it will be awesome. Yeah everyone goes around about the looks, sure U33jc has awesome bamboo but personally 3820tg looks much nicer in person than on pic. Get this 3820tg cause its fng amazing or ill kick your arse .. sorry got a bit too carried away xD

 

Wrong.

Details to come.

 

I7-620M or you going to try the 640M? Just saw the engineer's models on sale for ~ $300. 3.46ghz w/o OC'ing. Wish I knew that Acer was going to support the 640M. I wonder if it even matters ... will the bios support in the current version for the 620M operate the 640M as well? Is the 640M just an OC'd version of the 620M or are there substantial differences?

Anyway ... you using the 620M? Engineer's sample or OEM?

Bronsky

 

well if 3820tg bios will allow to upgrade to 640m that i think ill go with it. But i havent seen any info on notebookcheck on 640m, but it indeed is on intel roadmap for launch end of 2010. Any info from acer on 640m support ?

// well guy on ebay says to make sure mobo supports i7 and we know 3820tg does so i think it'll work. might risk it and buy one at some point.

//emailed him asking if bios update is needed - will let ya all know

 

Most people I talk to at acer are still trying to figure out how to find my serial number in their system. No help there.

Bronsky

 

I have been following this thread and I have to admit, I am fascinated in your quest to build the best machines possible. You guys go WAY beyond my comfort level when it comes to buying and upgrading your configurations and squeezing performance out of your Acers.

What is your primary usage for your laptops once you have upgraded them - Is it gaming or some other application? Maybe it the never-ending fun in striving to make something better?

Keep up the good work.

 

Sorry, not OT, just a bit regional.

Any hugarian owners planning on upgrading their CPUs?

I've found a retailer providing 540M for 79.000 HUF (359 USD).

Intel-CORE-I5-540M-2-53GHZ-SKTG1-3MB-CACHE-BOXED-BX80617I5540M *** www.pcland.hu ***

Are there other sources?

It looks to me one should wait till the prices drop a bit.

 

As an ex pin level modder, (eyes, time and money not what they once were), and now just an observer, I think it must be just for the challenge. The modest minuet performance gains in real life, for the cost, only makes sense if it is for the fun of it, not for any real noticeable useful performance gains.

 

A new 540M OEM CPU on ebay is $279 USD avg price. Intel Core i5 540M 540 2.53Ghz 3MB SLBPG PGA988 OEM CPU - eBay (item 120578024172 end time Aug-30-10 19:21:08 PDT) You can find them for a few dollars less.

Bronsky

 

hi, I run into problem with my 3820T which i bought 2 days ago.
I discovered a flaw on my touchpad (to be more accurate - right upper corner), its like the glue that they used wasn't holding really well. (see the pictures below).
I'm going to the store where i bought it and I'm going to demand a new piece of laptop, because this is just not something that you can normally work with.